Green hydrogen industry needs ‘more backing to reach global demand goals’

The numerous hydrogen projects announced so far are likely to be insufficient to meet demand projections, according to a new report

The green hydrogen industry needs more government backing to reach demand goals.

That’s according to a new report by the Institute for Energy Economics and Financial Analysis (IEEFA), which finds the pace is not fast enough to meet global energy demand, with massive investment shortfalls and government inaction stalling start-ups.

Data analysis of 50 new hydrogen projects announced in the last year shows the supply of global green hydrogen is likely to be only three million tonnes a year.

However, demand for green hydrogen has been forecast at 8.7 million tonnes a year by 2030.

The report also suggests Asia, Australia and Europe are leading emerging green hydrogen economy.

It notes the EU’s hydrogen plan is critical to the growth of the global green hydrogen industry as it is the only plan with a focus on green hydrogen.

Yong Por, Author of the report, said: “Governments need to urgently back this industry by developing policy settings encouraging private industry to invest the much-needed capital, given the industry must ‘learn by doing’.

“Until then, we are likely to see project delays as proponents struggle with still absent project viability, evidenced by only 14 of the 50 new projects having started construction with 34 at a study or memorandum of understanding stage.”

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